By LydiaJo. This was one of my favorites from the beginning. It’s a great shot with a great background, but I just love how the sisters are cracking up. This photo makes me smile.

By CoriK. This is a darling, carefree photo. I love the wildness of their hair and the playfulness of their expressions.

By akenmomma. A real crowd favorite, this touching shot so tenderly captures an unforgettable moment between two sisters. It makes me cry every time I see it.

By NanaBread. Another crowd favorite, this beautifully innocent photo captures childhood in such a lovely way. The faded tones are the icing on the cake. Gorgeous.

By baresilver. I loved this shot from the very beginning. The ivy background, the subject’s upward glance, the cloudy post-processing and faded tones. I absolutely love it, and it needs to be in a frame.

By munk797. This shot of four sisters is almost perfection. It’s so clear and beautiful, and their identical smiles are gorgeous.

By S.Louise…Beloved. I want to know more about this woman. The photo captures her so beautifully.

By Victoria. I love everything about this photo. The movement, the personality, the white dresses, the playfulness. Too lovely for words.

By mrsg4ever. The bride’s happy expression makes this shot for me. Her sister’s tight embrace brings a tear to my eye.

By soleil today. Another one of my favorites, you can just feel the love all around them. I love their feminine country dresses and how tightly they’re holding each other.

*Sniff sniff*

I love my sister that much, too.

THE WINNER

The winner is…

akenmomma. This was such a tough one, but in the end, I just couldn’t deny the beauty and emotion of this photo. I love how serious they both are, as if they both realize just how important a moment they’re experiencing. And I love how unaware they are of the camera.

159 Comments and 25 Replies

Beth Speights On Monday, March 7 at 8:37 pm

maddie On Monday, March 7 at 8:37 pm

kate On Monday, March 7 at 8:40 pm

LOVED THIS ONE!!!!

4

Sudee in Florida On Monday, March 7 at 8:41 pm

That was my favorite too. Loved it.

5

Heather S On Monday, March 7 at 8:41 pm

Congrats to the winner and all of the finalists! Thank you for sharing your wonderfully touching photos with all of us. The emotion that comes through in the winning photo is stunning! It takes my breath away.

I agree! This photo is so tender and touching. Julie, I feel a little “weepy” too.

Kari On Tuesday, March 8 at 9:35 am

This picture made me very weepy as well…not because I don’t have a sister, but because I have two that I have never been able to be this close to. This is a deep sisterly connection that I would so dearly love to have with my own.

6

Annie On Monday, March 7 at 8:43 pm

Lovely photo… ALL of the finalists were gorgeous. Congrats, finalists and winner!

PW, you’re going to hate me for this, but your next Photography Assignment should be babies.

I can hear the “help me Rhonda” now.

sooz On Monday, March 7 at 8:55 pm

I agree! Since spring (and Mother’s Day) is around the corner, it would be timely, right?

Alison On Tuesday, March 8 at 4:24 am

Or the topic could be mothers

7

Tish C Hill On Monday, March 7 at 8:45 pm

Congratulations to all who entered, the winning photo is wonderful….a moment to remember forever!

8

Caroline in Tennessee On Monday, March 7 at 8:47 pm

Congratulations! I loved this contest – I don’t know how you narrowed it down to one!

Alicia On Monday, March 7 at 8:53 pm

Ree~ Thank you SO much!!! It’s really a huge honor!!!!! Thanks everyone for your sweet comments on the previous posts too! This is my baby sister (I am the oldest of 5 girls) and I was in the delivery room when she was born and it was a pure joy to be with her as she labored beautifully and delivered her sweet baby girl just over a week ago! Thank you again! So, so excited! =)

Rebekah On Monday, March 7 at 10:29 pm

Wow, Kori! Amazing that this gorgeous picture was taken so recently! Congratulations … both on the contest and also to your sister and all your family on the addition of your precious niece. (I am also a proud Auntie who was blessed to see her niece come into the world … such a privilege.)

Susan O. On Tuesday, March 8 at 8:07 am

It’s such a touching photo…that hand barely caressing the baby’s sweet head! I get choked up every time I look at it!! Congratulations. Most deserved!

Kathleen On Tuesday, March 8 at 9:28 am

Kori, I saw that you mentioned this photo was taken on February 25th, 2011. My baby girl was born on February 11th, 2011. If I even think of this shot of yours, I tear up. I never knew exactly how much of an emotional journey it is to become a mother. Because I have, I think it makes it easier for me to understand just how intensely wonderful your beautiful moment with your sister and your niece is. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this with us. Your win is well deserved.

Erin On Tuesday, March 8 at 9:32 am

Kori – Congratulations to you and your family. What a special moment! I’m an only child and while I was able to successfully breastfeed both of my boys, I didn’t have a sister to help me out through the difficult first few months with each of them. As you know your sister has made a wonderful choice and will need extra support to continue on this journey. She’s lucky to have a big sister to help her out. This pictures is simply stunning.

Michele A. On Tuesday, March 8 at 10:59 am

Congratulations – oh, how this picture brings tears of joy to my eyes… You are very fortunate to have each other. <3

Peggy On Tuesday, March 8 at 12:13 pm

Congratulations Kori to your family. It’s a beautiful picture!

Lori On Wednesday, March 9 at 12:57 pm

I work on a postpartum unit and lactation center with new moms and their babies, so this photo was especially heartwarming to me…Congratulations, Kori…on the winning photo, and your new neice! You are so blessed to have such a close bond with your sister! The photo brings tears to my eyes…

Allie On Friday, March 11 at 11:11 am

Congrats Kori! And the rest of the family! This makes me a little weepy too, knowing my big sister is awaiting her first girl.
Precious is too mild a word . . . miracluous shot. Truly.

12

Kansas Keri On Monday, March 7 at 8:57 pm

Such a lovely shot! So many talented photogs with jobs made easier with such a beautiful subject.

Wonderful choice! They were all great submissions! I still think there ought to be a button or badge that people can put on their blogs if they were a finalist, a winner, or a photo group selection on Pioneer Woman! That would be so cool!

Val On Monday, March 7 at 9:05 pm

I just ADORE the one you chose as the winner…such a sweet, tender moment. Love it! This had to have been a tough decision…there were so many beautiful photos to choose from! Can’t wait for the next assignment.

Congratulations to all of the finalists! The winner brings a tear to my eye and makes me think of my babies when they were little.

21

Lynn in New York On Monday, March 7 at 9:12 pm

Of course #10 was that of my Granddaughter’s so I was rooting for that one, but had it not been there I would have been rooting for the WINNER. I was struck by it at 1st sight! It represented the true essence of a beautiful loving bond that loving sisters share! A very special moment that they will never forget.
Congratulations to you!

Amanda On Monday, March 7 at 9:14 pm

It makes me well up. How beautiful. I love how everytime I look at it it brings back such joyous memories of my own.

24

Toni C. On Monday, March 7 at 9:14 pm

wonderful choice…I shared a moment like this my younger sister when she asked me to be in the delivery room with her during the birth of her second son. (her husband just couldn’t bear it- he was fainter- poor guy) so it was just the two of us and her little babe for a few minutes. I was never more scared and more proud. It was an amazing part of our lives. It so amazing that they have this photo to relive this special moment thru.

25

Mary C. On Monday, March 7 at 9:14 pm

I loved this one too and completely agree it should be the winner!!! Yay!!!!

Congratulations to Akenmomma and all the other finalists. It was a priviledge to be nominated with so many fabulous sister photos. I loved them all! Thank you, Ree, for choosing us as a finalist. Thanks also to everyone who posted such sweet comments about our photo. My older sister and I appreciate it so much!

All these entries made me super jealous that I don’t have a sister…but also soooo grateful that my two girls have each other!
I loved all the finalist, and I think I even recognized the train depot in the background on mrsg4ever photo…Ontario?? How cool!

36

Melissa On Monday, March 7 at 10:24 pm

This was my favorite, too! I miss those baby days!

37

Andrea On Monday, March 7 at 10:26 pm

So happy this won. I tear up every time I see it. I think partly because my sister is having her first baby at 40 years of age and I just us in this amazing photo. YEAH

Laura N. On Monday, March 7 at 11:09 pm

Oh, I so agree. This just captured my soul. I do not have a sister or even a daughter. I have three sons and two brothers but anyone who has experienced the intimacy of breastfeeding and also the fear of not really knowing how to even begin, can appreciate the loving embrace and reassurance the veteran mom sister is providing for the new mama sister. I just love it so much.

Scoutmama On Monday, March 7 at 11:37 pm

nikki On Tuesday, March 8 at 12:10 am

Yay!!! So thrilled! So happy my sweet sisters grabbed it!! I am one of the five sisters and the super proud sister and aunt!! Sisters rock!

46

Shannon On Tuesday, March 8 at 12:30 am

I love this picture. Adore it. Brings back such vivid, vivid memories of the first hours with my babies. I couldn’t agree more with the selection.

I think it’s important to explicitly state why this picture touched us all so deeply. Breastfeeding is REALLY REALLY REALLY hard. And you are terrified and tired and sore, and possibly still drugged up. And filled with joy and wonder and love like you have never known. And you so desperately want that little guy to latch on and go to town! As much as we love and adore them, our men will never know those feelings. To have your sister there to support you and teach you and help you give your child your milk…it’s a gift that cannot be explained with words. But this picture captured it all! Thank you!!

Kori aka akenmomma On Tuesday, March 8 at 11:27 am

Shannon, thank you so much for adding this comment….it made me cry!

47

Amy VC On Tuesday, March 8 at 12:36 am

Lovely. Ree, you summed it up so well as to why that photo is so … genuine. It looks like the one sister is holding the other sister’s breast away from the baby’s nose so it can breathe while nursing … remember that? It is not something you know unless you’ve nursed a child. All of the submissions were wonderful. Here’s to sisters!

Kori aka akenmomma On Tuesday, March 8 at 11:37 am

=)

48

Tina On Tuesday, March 8 at 12:36 am

Beautiful! Makes me wish I were closer to my sister. :p

Adrienne On Tuesday, March 8 at 12:28 pm

Me too! I only have one sister and we are not close. This picture is so touching as my sister has only met my oldest daughter once and has never met my second. I am currently pregnant with our third girl and I pray that they remain close as they grow into adulthood!

I am now officially a blubbery mess at work. All the photos are beautiful! It makes me want to call up my sister and gab on the phone or give her a big hug! Thank you for sharing you special moments ladies!

They are all so beautiful, fun and emotional. I love the one you chose! So special!

92

Pam On Tuesday, March 8 at 10:04 am

Makes me miss my sister so, so much. Gone 15 years on March 17th. Thanks for sharing, they are all winners.

93

LeaAnn On Tuesday, March 8 at 10:06 am

love them all, but this was one of my favs also, my daughters were with each other for the birth of each others children as well, I have been in a disscussion with some FB friend over the last few days about how our society doesn’t seem to value motherhood so thanks so much for affirming the value of a noble profession

94

Cindy On Tuesday, March 8 at 10:09 am

Great pics! Next photo contest should be mothers and daughters…..share the love!